davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Feasibility of District Representation

To the Editor Of The Morning NeUs-
SIR; AS the Legislature at the present
session will be called upon to take
definite action in regard to COnstitu.
tional reform, either by proposing
amendments to the present constitution
or by making provision for calling a
convention to create new one, and as
one of the radical changes imperatively
demanded by the popular expression is
for change in the mode Of electine
and manner of representation in the
General Assembly, allow me here to
suggest to the consideration of those
favOring such change the following In
lieu OF the as now constituted plan of
electing by counties.
An examination of n map of the State
and Census Report of 1880 shows that
the State now comprises four divisions
OF nearly equal population, instead of
three, as was the case at the formation
OF the present constitution, namely /:
Wilmington city, which by the above
named report contained a population of
42,498; the rural hundreds of New
Castle county having population of
80 ,203; Kent county with a population
OF S2,SI7; aud Sussex county. embrac.
ing a population of 36,03l. These four
divisions are each for purposes OF cleo
ton aud equitable representation cana
Die OF division into four subdivisions
or senatorial districts composed of con-
tiguous territory and adj djoining hun
dreds, with population nearly as equal
as Is possible of formation without
altering well defined and long estab-
lished boundaries or changing existing
hundred organizations.
The plan here suggested would make
a division of Wilmington separate from
the hundreds of the county, aud divide
the city into four districts, the sena.
torial basis of which, according to the
census above referred to, would be
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Kenton Items.

A correspondent of the Morning Ne,Os
sends that paper the following items:
A meeting was held in the Town
Hall on Saturday evening for the pur-
pose of organizing a literary society.
The grain depot purchased of j. M.
Arthurs by the p, w. & B. Railroad
Company will be moved farther up the
track and remOdeled.
There are several new dwellings now
in progress in town, which signifies
that the town is still alive.
Representative Temple was asked the
other day what he was going to ask the
Legislature to do for the town "what-
ever our town wants." said he. What
IS wanted are pavements and street
lamps. There never was a better
chance for such a step. Those who. if
the town was Incorporated, would have
the most paving to do are the ones who
will light such measure hardest, and
say that they can be done without.
travelling statesmen have been known
to pay their fare over to Smyrna and
come back here the next morning TO
see Kenton merchants, rather than
stop over night in a town with such
street aocommodations as are found
here.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

The bill to regulate Interstate com.
merce was passed by the Senate on
Friday night about midnight by a vote
of 4S to 15. No bill not strictly polit-
ical has or will arouse the attention Of
the business circles so much as this
because it is blow aimed at the great
money magnates. 1t is not known
whether it will yet become law. as a
strong pressure will be made by the
great capitalists to have it vetoed bv
the President, or whether when it be-
comes law it can be made operative
in its spirit and intent.
The bill as it passed in brief. provides
Tor the appointment of a commission of
i've competent men not more than
three of whom shall belong to one
political party. Shippers who have
grievances against railroads can make
complaint to the Commission in the
Federal courts. Railroads are nrobih.
lted from charging more for a short
tnan for for a longer distance unon
their own lines in the same direction
shorter being included in the longer
distance and the circumstances aud con.
u oitlons being the same; but the com.
mission is authorized upon application
Of a railroad, and after Investigation n
the facts to relieve the roads from IN,
operation Of the general term in sDecia'
cases. Pooling is absolutely prohib
lted. On the question of publicity q
rates the provisions Of the two bills in
troduced have been merged "a Al 4,
acquire each railroad TO make nWbl;,
these rates between points upon n,
own ~, road as proposed in the Hons,
piii, and IN addition the commission 1
reqained 70 secure pnblicity Of throuel
rates in 50 far as it may be found nee
essary ''''N ieo
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Press Opinions.
THE wOLCOTT ORGAN ON DISTRICT REP
RESERVATION.

THE wOLCoTT ORGAN ON DISTRICT REP
RESERVATION.
The Republicans of Delaware have
always made a great hue and cry about
District Representation" and those
who promised to aid the Republicans
for their part in the "black compact y
are playing the same tune now, as thew
claim, in the interest of fairness" If
there is any fairness in the district ger
rymandering of the Republicans in
Pennsylvania and other States where
they have control, the Democracy of
Delaware fail to see it. Those who are
being hoodwinked by their cry of fair
ness, in connection with district rep
resentation would do well to read up
on the subject. We make the assertion
here and invite refutation-That the
history of District Representation
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

THE nomination of Senator George
Gray by acclamation at the caucus
meeting held by the Legislature on
Monday night settles a vexed question
in the politics of the State and secures
Mr.. Gray a seat in the councils of the
nation for a full term of six years
longer. Without taking up Mr.. Lore's
candidacy and the fact that he had
retired from the contest, leaving Sen
ator Gray clear field, it must be said
that in succeeding himself as he does,
Mr.. Gray has only obtained that which
a brief but successful term has entitled
him to. In his mental makeup Mr..
Gray has qualifications and endow-
ments which fit him for the Office OF
United States Senator, and Delaware
can look to him as one who will main.
tain the dignity and ability which its
representatives have earned through an
unbrOken line from the days of the
Continental Congress.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Primrose Wells.

At $50 P. NJ. on Wednesday, January
18th, a large company of invited guests
assembled at the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. Daniel Wells, 274 Jewett Avenue,
Jersey City, to witness the marriage of
Mrs. Kate Wells, of Green Spring, to J.
ii. Primrose, well-knOwn resident of
this town. The ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. Mr.. Meeker, of
Jersey City, and was Immediately fol-
lowed by a tempting collation., which
was heartily enjoyed
The bride was handsomely attired in
an ecru satin, trimmed in iridescent
BRAIDED brOcade, and carried a boquet
of white hyacinths. The groom wore
the conventional black dress suit.
Among those present were the fol-
lowing Delawareans: Miss Primrose,
of Smyrna; Benz. Collins, of Green
Spring, Miss Lizzie CahoOn, of Dover
Mr.. and Mrs. J. H. Marshall and Mr..
and Mrs. E. D. CahOOn, of Brooklyn
N.
Thursday was spent by the bridal
party in visiting places of interest in
New York City. In the evening they
were given a dinner by Mrs. Marshall
and Mrs. CahoOn. On Friday they
started on trip to Philadelphia, Wash
ingtOn and Baltimore, followed by the
best wishes of their numerous friends
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

GOVERNOR BIGGs' Inaugural address
delivered yesterday on his taking the
oath of Office has the merit of clearness,
force and pOsitiveness of statement,
and thus cOmmends itself to the people
of the state of all shade of opinion. 1t
certainly in several important particu-
lars marks an advanced step in the
direction Of progress over his predeces-
sOrs in Office, and if he follows the line
of policy marked out, his will bear the
designation of an administration of
progress.
He seems to have lacked the courage
however of Gov. StOckley in meeting
the questions of Prohibition and
License-ignoring them entirely
through no single topic of his address
has agitated the public mind half so
much as the evils growing out of the
use of spirituOus liquors.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
For The Smyrna Times.
Our Dover Letter.
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.


DOVER, DEL, January 49,. 1887.
Another week has passed over the
Delaware Halls of Legislation and the
Legislators are as far from doing any
thing as they were before they at
tempted to legislate; in fact, it is a
bright Legislator who knows what the
body to which be belongs has done.
Beyond passing two or three bills,
granting incorporation to Wilmington
firms, in which your readers have no
interest, the Legislature has done
nothing up till last night, when the
caucus was held for U. S. Senator, State
Treasurer and Auditor. The struggle
and excitement incident for the capture
of the two latter offices have entirely
OvershadOwed everything else. At
about 8 o'clock both bodies met in
caucus in the hall of the House and
proceeded to nominate United States
Senator, Hon. George Gray being nom
mated to succeed himself by acclama-
tiOn. The SenatOrship settled, the tug
of-war presented itself and the mem
bers proceeded to tug and had not
finished tugging when the caucus ad-
journed at half-past ten to meet to-
morrow night.
When the caucus went into session
the friends of both candidates for the
Treasurership were certain of a sure
victory for their candidates, both sides
claiming that they had enough votes to
elect. Fifteen ballots were taken. re.
sulting in one Of the most notable dead
locks that has ever occurred in Della
ware politics. The first bollot stood /:
Herbert, l4i Nowland, 12; Morris, 3,
and they varied but slightly from this
till the twelfth ballot, when from that
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

WE give in another column a we'll
written article carefully thought out in
all its details on the subject of bis
trict Representation" which is likely
to claim large share of public atten-
tiOn during the present session of the
Legislature. The writer of this article.
in the quiet of his country home, has
had the leisure to study the map of our
State, its natural as we'll as its political
divisions, and he finds that the State
can be districted in perfectly equable
way without disturbing the base Of
population. AS laid down by Re
form " in his article, there can be no
charge Of fraud or unfairness, the pop
ulatiOn being so evenly divided on the
natural lines of division as to put" ger
rymandering" out Of the question.
The article of Reform" is. timely in
its publication aud will no doubt receive
a careful reading from our men inter
ested in public and political matters.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Public Sales.

On Wednesday, January 26th.-StOck
Farming Implement, &c, by John
SUNNI, near Dexter's Corner. John NJ.
Boyd, Auctioneer.
On Wednesday, February End Stock
Farming Implements, &c, by Thomas
Middleton, near Smyrna. A. Hayden,
Jr., AuctiOneer.
On Tuesday, February 8h.-Stock,
Farming Utensils, &C., John w. and
Sallie J. Stephenson, administrators,
near Smyrna. B. V. Weldon, Auction
eer.
On Wednesday, February 9H.-Stock,
Farming Utensils, &C., II. G. Murphey
at Murphey's Mill. B. V. Weldon
AuctiOneer.
On Thursday, February 1Oth.-Mules
Colt, Cattle, Hogs, Farming Utensils
&C., Thomas f. Bailey, at Seven Hick-
ories. B. V. Weldon, Auctioneer.
On Monday, February 14th.-Horses
Mules, Farming Utensils, Household
Goods, &C., by William Truax, near
Walkers School House. A. Hayden
Jr., Auctioneer. T
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Februar,
18th and 16th.-Stock, Farming Uten
sils, &C., Titus l. Hobbs, in Dutch
Neck. B. V. Weldon, Auctioneer.
On Thursday, February 17th.-Stock
Farming Utensils, &c, Franklin Temple
at KentOn. B. V. Weldon, Auctioneer
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
NEW WHEAT.
MARRIAGES.

BROWN Worlon Station Janro.-
18th. by Rev. J. NJ Lindale, Charles r Rro,rly
and Miss Sadie W. Copper, both OF Kent conf,
Md. '!'
BURRoUGH-MOFFETT.-In Millington. Ma
January 5th, by Rev. Thomas Numbers Teyoud, u,
BurrOugh and Miss Sarah Jane Moffett botb -
Kent county, Md.
RY-COHEE.-January 18th, bv tho Do.
T. II. Haynes, John NJ. Emory and AMI "
COHEE, both of Frederick. l.
UE-SYLVESTER-In Kennedyville " d
Church. January l2th, by Rev. A. w. Matber
William T. Hague and Miss Martha sylyeSter
both of Kent county, Nd.
KIRBY--GESTER-In Camden n. ] Jan,,o,.
18th, by the Rev. A. Lawrence Lewis XIII!
of Philadelphia, and COrdelia NJ Gesfer
Camden, both formerly Of Delaware
LOUD-SMYTH.-Al the residence Of the brid.t,
parents January 18th, by Rev. A. ". Hather
Robert II. Loud and Miss hattie T. Smvth
daughter Of Richard e. Smyth, both OF Kent
county, Nd.
MCFEELY-USILTON-I the NJ T. Church
ChestertOwn, January 18Th by Rev. " r
Graham, Percy r. McFeely and Miriam Il
UsiltOn, both Of ChestertOwn.
SPENCER -TILGHMAN.-Decem 18th by Rev
James A. Mitchell Of St. Paul's F. f. C6urcb
CentreYille, Md, Bedingfield II. Spencer and
Annie, daughter OF James Tilghman.
TOOPS-GRIFFIN-At Harris Chapel. January
5th, by Rev. K. F. Bishop. Chas n Stoops. 6f
EastOn, Md, and Miss Julia Griffin, daughter
of John X. Grfin, of Caroline county Md
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING Gov
ERNOR

THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING Gov
ERNOR.
So far as the Republicans are con-
cerned Governor StOckley retires from
his Office without stain upon his
escutcheon. His honesty has never
been assailed, nor his character ma
ligned by Republicans. Were it not
for his own party he would retire to the
shades of private life, to enjoy the
pleasures of its sunset without an inter
vening cloud. The only shadow that
crosses the outgoing Governors path
way came from the Democratic thunder
| cloud. Republicans have the consOla-
tiOn of knowing that no action of theirs
caused Governor StOckley unhappiness.
From their stand point he has made as
good Governor of the State as any OF
his predecessors.
Governor Biggs will take up where
Governor StOckley left off. The
Democratic quarrels have not been set
tied, and Mr.. Biggs seems likely to have
the same pillow of thOrns upon which
to lay his head. We are amongst those
who believe that Governor Biggs will
make an exceptionally good Governor,
but the only genuine and hearty en-
dorsement of his actions, if they are
! honest and disinterested, will be from
the Republicans of the State. Uneasy
is the head Of the man who wears the
crown of a Delaware GOvernor.-Re
publican.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
New Advertisements.

The attention of our readers is called
to the following new advertisements:
ClOthing-Wanamaker & Brown.
Overcoats at Cost-E. Beck.
Royal Baking Powder.
Live Stock for Sale-E. Beck.
Trousers, Suits and Overcoats--John
w. DiefendOrf.
Offices for Rent-E. Beck.
Notice to Debtors-John E. Phillips.
Rupture-Dr. J. B. Mayer.
General Merchandise "A. SeviI.
Smyrna Bakery and Confectionery
Chas. G. Boehmler.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
Personal.

Mrs. Jas. d. Wilds and daughter
have gone to Philadelphia to spend the
balance of the Winter.
Jos. H. Primrose and bride are ex-
pected home to morrow.
VIM. ]. Carrow, was on a visit to his
mother Saturday and Sunday.
John H. Hoifecker and wife, who
went on a visit to Boston last year are
expected home on Saturday
Mr.. A. T. w. Stevens aud wife, nee
Carrie V. Hurlock, of Maryland, re-
turned yesterday after a visit to friends
in this town.
B. Frank Truax, of Philadelphia, is
spending his winter vacation with rel
atives here.
H. H. Deakyne, of Atlantic City, N.
j., spent Saturday and Sunday with
relatives in this vicinity.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

THE DelaUGrean very naturally comes
to the defence of Speaker McCabe Of
the House, whom the Wolcottites claim
the credit of putting him in his place,
but who formed his committees largely
the latter claim, in the interest of the
Family. It's just possible that Speaker
McCabe, though young in years, has
the strength of character as we'll as in
dependence to rise superior to factions
and put them both under his feet. Il
so, he will retire from the Speakers
chair at the end of the session a MucE
larger man in the eyes of the people
than when he went into it.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
For the Smyrna Times.
OYerseer of the Poor.

B. F. Smith, of North Murderkiln
Hundred, but formerly of this vicinity,
having announced himselfan applicant
for the uperintendency OF the Kent
County Aims House, recently made
vacant by death, the writer wishes to
express through these columns the
opinion that with the knowledge and
acquaintance he has of Mr.. Smith, he is
we'll suited for and deserving this posi-
tiOn in many respects. Moreover, we
doubt whether there are a halfdozen
women in Kent county as well qualified
for the duties of matrOn for an institu-
ton of this kind las we understand
them) as his good lady.
Should Mr.. Smith receive the favor
able consideration of the Board of
Trustees and receive the appointment,
we believe he and his wife will render
good honest service and give satisfac-
ton. SUBSCRIBER.
January II, 1887.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

The passage of the Edmunds' bill to
break the power of the polygamists in
Utah was considered a great step for
ward to suppress the evils of Mormon
ism, but the bill which passed the
House last week with the Tucker sub
stitute for the Edmunds' bill, it is
thought, forecasts the doom of Mormon
ism. It's provisions are thus briefly
sumed up:
1t makes the lawful husband or
wife of any person prosecuted for big
amy, pOlygamy or unlawful cOhabita-
ton, competent witness against the
accused, and further provides for the
registration of all marriages, making it.
a misdemeanOr for any person to violate
the provisions relative to such regis
tratiOn. 1t annuls all territorial laws
providing for the Identification of the
votes of electors at any election, and
also all laws comforting on the terri
tOrial courts the power to determine
| divorce cases, and abOlishes woman
suffrage in the territory of Utah. Pen
alties are prescribed for unlawful inter-
course, and pOlygamy is defined as a
marriage between one person of one
sex and more than one person of an
other sex, and is declared to be a fel-
Ony. The financial corporations known
as the Church of Latter Day Saints and
the Perpetual Emigration Fund Com
pany are dissolved and the Attorney
General is directed to wind them up
by process of court; and all laws for
the organization of the militia of the
territory and the creation of the Nau-
vOs Legion are annulled. POlygamists
are made ineligible to vote, and a test
oath is prescribed to all persons desir.
ing to vote that they will obey the laws
of the United States and especially the
laws in respect to the crimes defined in
this and the original Edmunds act.
"The bill provides for the immediate
appointment by the President of al
judges and selectmen of the county as
Probate Courts, and by the Governor O
all justices of the peace, sheriffs, cOnsta
bles and other county district officers
The bill as amended by the adop
ton of the substitute will now bC
transmitted to the Senate for the action
of that body.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19
For the Smyrna Times.
The 5th and 9Th Delaware Regiments
THEIR STATUS IN THE SERVICE.

THEIR STATUS IN THE SERVICE.
Mr.. EDITOR My attention has been
called to sundry letters, published in
the Morning NeiOs relative to back pay
of the 5th and 9th Delaware Regiment.
Permit me to call the attention of the
members of the 9th Regiment of which
/ had the honor to be Colonel, to sun
dry errors in the letter of Adiutant
General r. G. Drum.
1st-He states that these Regiments
were mustered in for special duty
lUithin the State of DeLGUdre."
Now while we were known as Home
Guards" f" we were mustered in by Major
Judd, not as soldiers for Delaware, but
soldiers in the service of the United
States and were subject to duty as any
other soldiers, and took the same oath
of obedience, as all other soldiers do.
2nd-The Adjutant General says,
when called out the Regiment was cal
led for service in guarding prisoners
at Fort Delaware and the line of the
P, w. & B. r. r.
Now whatever may have been the OBJ
ject in calling out the 9Th Regiment, the
fact is, we were ordered for duty, not in
the State of Delaware, but in Maryland, d,
and the entire Regiment was sent to
guard the railroad between Havre de
Grace and Baltimore City. After the
battle of Gettesburg portion of the
Regiment under command dofLieutenant
Colonel Jacob Moore was ordered to
do guard duty at Fort Delaware. A
portion was left in Maryland in COM
mand of Major T. T. ThurlOw and l
with two companies ordered to return
to Smyrna to enforce the draft.
3rd-Adjutant General Drum, says
the Regiment was mustard for the
period they rendered actual service"
This is a mistake-We were mustered
for nine months for actual service,
whenever and wherever called for, and
when the call came, the men responded
with a promptness that astOnished
the natives" as well as the Govern
ment officials.
REHABILITATION.
1st-The members of the 9th Regiment
were mustered in the service of
the United States for months,
without any "if or and" as to
where or when they were to do
duty.
2nd-They were equipped and armed by
the u. S. Government as soon as
organized.
3rd-They held themselves ready for
U. S. duty.
4th-When called out it was for service
in another State.
5th-ThOugh the call came in harvest
time-when the men made the
most sacrifice in leaving Their
hOmes-they promptly left theil
fields and places of business and
reported at Wilmington for or.
ders.
Chino men were more loyal or made
greater sacrifices for the time
than those of the 9th Regiment
Delaware VOlunteers-Infantry
Respectfully,
EDWIN WILMER.
Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

WHATEVER may be the fate of Rep
resentative Medill's bill to convert the
Levy Court of New Castle county into
a Board of County Commissioners, it is
considered by large class of people a
genuine measure of reform, and it is
sure to arouse a good deal of interest
and discussion. A New Castle county
writer says:
"The bosses and rOOsters, who are
using the Levy Court, first, as a collec-
ton of soft berths with which to bribe
their county supporters, and second, as
a powerful machine with which to dis
franchise Republicans and to defeat
their own party opponents, are already
croaking that they are afraid that three
men will not be able to know as much
about the wants of the eleven hundreds
as the eleven members of the Levy
Court. The eleven members of the
Levy Court know too much, and they
foster wants that do not exist, for the
purpose of getting employment for
their party hackers and themselves,
too, as Overseers. The Levy Court
is mere log-rolling machine, and its
members legislate on the policy of if
you'll tickle me, I'll tickle you
But the secondary purpose of Mr..
Medill's bill is better even than its pri-
mary. The latter proposition means to
do away with the appointment of con-
stables and tax collectors by the new
board of commissioners, convert those
two local offices into one and let the
voters of each hundred elect that man" D."